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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis | Key Concepts & Examples

Published on August 28, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A rhetorical analysis is a type of essay  that looks at a text in terms of rhetoric. This means it is less concerned with what the author is saying than with how they say it: their goals, techniques, and appeals to the audience.

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Table of contents

Key concepts in rhetoric, analyzing the text, introducing your rhetorical analysis, the body: doing the analysis, concluding a rhetorical analysis, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about rhetorical analysis.

Rhetoric, the art of effective speaking and writing, is a subject that trains you to look at texts, arguments and speeches in terms of how they are designed to persuade the audience. This section introduces a few of the key concepts of this field.

Appeals: Logos, ethos, pathos

Appeals are how the author convinces their audience. Three central appeals are discussed in rhetoric, established by the philosopher Aristotle and sometimes called the rhetorical triangle: logos, ethos, and pathos.

Logos , or the logical appeal, refers to the use of reasoned argument to persuade. This is the dominant approach in academic writing , where arguments are built up using reasoning and evidence.

Ethos , or the ethical appeal, involves the author presenting themselves as an authority on their subject. For example, someone making a moral argument might highlight their own morally admirable behavior; someone speaking about a technical subject might present themselves as an expert by mentioning their qualifications.

Pathos , or the pathetic appeal, evokes the audience’s emotions. This might involve speaking in a passionate way, employing vivid imagery, or trying to provoke anger, sympathy, or any other emotional response in the audience.

These three appeals are all treated as integral parts of rhetoric, and a given author may combine all three of them to convince their audience.

Text and context

In rhetoric, a text is not necessarily a piece of writing (though it may be this). A text is whatever piece of communication you are analyzing. This could be, for example, a speech, an advertisement, or a satirical image.

In these cases, your analysis would focus on more than just language—you might look at visual or sonic elements of the text too.

The context is everything surrounding the text: Who is the author (or speaker, designer, etc.)? Who is their (intended or actual) audience? When and where was the text produced, and for what purpose?

Looking at the context can help to inform your rhetorical analysis. For example, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech has universal power, but the context of the civil rights movement is an important part of understanding why.

Claims, supports, and warrants

A piece of rhetoric is always making some sort of argument, whether it’s a very clearly defined and logical one (e.g. in a philosophy essay) or one that the reader has to infer (e.g. in a satirical article). These arguments are built up with claims, supports, and warrants.

A claim is the fact or idea the author wants to convince the reader of. An argument might center on a single claim, or be built up out of many. Claims are usually explicitly stated, but they may also just be implied in some kinds of text.

The author uses supports to back up each claim they make. These might range from hard evidence to emotional appeals—anything that is used to convince the reader to accept a claim.

The warrant is the logic or assumption that connects a support with a claim. Outside of quite formal argumentation, the warrant is often unstated—the author assumes their audience will understand the connection without it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still explore the implicit warrant in these cases.

For example, look at the following statement:

We can see a claim and a support here, but the warrant is implicit. Here, the warrant is the assumption that more likeable candidates would have inspired greater turnout. We might be more or less convinced by the argument depending on whether we think this is a fair assumption.

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Rhetorical analysis isn’t a matter of choosing concepts in advance and applying them to a text. Instead, it starts with looking at the text in detail and asking the appropriate questions about how it works:

• What is the author’s purpose?
• Do they focus closely on their key claims, or do they discuss various topics?
• What tone do they take—angry or sympathetic? Personal or authoritative? Formal or informal?
• Who seems to be the intended audience? Is this audience likely to be successfully reached and convinced?
• What kinds of evidence are presented?

By asking these questions, you’ll discover the various rhetorical devices the text uses. Don’t feel that you have to cram in every rhetorical term you know—focus on those that are most important to the text.

The following sections show how to write the different parts of a rhetorical analysis.

Like all essays, a rhetorical analysis begins with an introduction . The introduction tells readers what text you’ll be discussing, provides relevant background information, and presents your thesis statement .

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how an introduction works.

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is widely regarded as one of the most important pieces of oratory in American history. Delivered in 1963 to thousands of civil rights activists outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speech has come to symbolize the spirit of the civil rights movement and even to function as a major part of the American national myth. This rhetorical analysis argues that King’s assumption of the prophetic voice, amplified by the historic size of his audience, creates a powerful sense of ethos that has retained its inspirational power over the years.

The body of your rhetorical analysis is where you’ll tackle the text directly. It’s often divided into three paragraphs, although it may be more in a longer essay.

Each paragraph should focus on a different element of the text, and they should all contribute to your overall argument for your thesis statement.

Hover over the example to explore how a typical body paragraph is constructed.

King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.

The conclusion of a rhetorical analysis wraps up the essay by restating the main argument and showing how it has been developed by your analysis. It may also try to link the text, and your analysis of it, with broader concerns.

Explore the example below to get a sense of the conclusion.

It is clear from this analysis that the effectiveness of King’s rhetoric stems less from the pathetic appeal of his utopian “dream” than it does from the ethos he carefully constructs to give force to his statements. By framing contemporary upheavals as part of a prophecy whose fulfillment will result in the better future he imagines, King ensures not only the effectiveness of his words in the moment but their continuing resonance today. Even if we have not yet achieved King’s dream, we cannot deny the role his words played in setting us on the path toward it.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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The goal of a rhetorical analysis is to explain the effect a piece of writing or oratory has on its audience, how successful it is, and the devices and appeals it uses to achieve its goals.

Unlike a standard argumentative essay , it’s less about taking a position on the arguments presented, and more about exploring how they are constructed.

The term “text” in a rhetorical analysis essay refers to whatever object you’re analyzing. It’s frequently a piece of writing or a speech, but it doesn’t have to be. For example, you could also treat an advertisement or political cartoon as a text.

Logos appeals to the audience’s reason, building up logical arguments . Ethos appeals to the speaker’s status or authority, making the audience more likely to trust them. Pathos appeals to the emotions, trying to make the audience feel angry or sympathetic, for example.

Collectively, these three appeals are sometimes called the rhetorical triangle . They are central to rhetorical analysis , though a piece of rhetoric might not necessarily use all of them.

In rhetorical analysis , a claim is something the author wants the audience to believe. A support is the evidence or appeal they use to convince the reader to believe the claim. A warrant is the (often implicit) assumption that links the support with the claim.

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What Is a Rhetorical Analysis and How to Write a Great One

Helly Douglas

Do you have to write a rhetorical analysis essay? Fear not! We’re here to explain exactly what rhetorical analysis means, how you should structure your essay, and give you some essential “dos and don’ts.”

What is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

How do you write a rhetorical analysis, what are the three rhetorical strategies, what are the five rhetorical situations, how to plan a rhetorical analysis essay, creating a rhetorical analysis essay, examples of great rhetorical analysis essays, final thoughts.

A rhetorical analysis essay studies how writers and speakers have used words to influence their audience. Think less about the words the author has used and more about the techniques they employ, their goals, and the effect this has on the audience.

In your analysis essay, you break a piece of text (including cartoons, adverts, and speeches) into sections and explain how each part works to persuade, inform, or entertain. You’ll explore the effectiveness of the techniques used, how the argument has been constructed, and give examples from the text.

A strong rhetorical analysis evaluates a text rather than just describes the techniques used. You don’t include whether you personally agree or disagree with the argument.

Structure a rhetorical analysis in the same way as most other types of academic essays . You’ll have an introduction to present your thesis, a main body where you analyze the text, which then leads to a conclusion.

Think about how the writer (also known as a rhetor) considers the situation that frames their communication:

• Topic: the overall purpose of the rhetoric
• Audience: this includes primary, secondary, and tertiary audiences
• Purpose: there are often more than one to consider
• Context and culture: the wider situation within which the rhetoric is placed

Back in the 4th century BC, Aristotle was talking about how language can be used as a means of persuasion. He described three principal forms —Ethos, Logos, and Pathos—often referred to as the Rhetorical Triangle . These persuasive techniques are still used today.

Rhetorical Strategy 1: Ethos

Are you more likely to buy a car from an established company that’s been an important part of your community for 50 years, or someone new who just started their business?

Reputation matters. Ethos explores how the character, disposition, and fundamental values of the author create appeal, along with their expertise and knowledge in the subject area.

Aristotle breaks ethos down into three further categories:

• Phronesis: skills and practical wisdom
• Arete: virtue
• Eunoia: goodwill towards the audience

Ethos-driven speeches and text rely on the reputation of the author. In your analysis, you can look at how the writer establishes ethos through both direct and indirect means.

Rhetorical Strategy 2: Pathos

Pathos-driven rhetoric hooks into our emotions. You’ll often see it used in advertisements, particularly by charities wanting you to donate money towards an appeal.

Common use of pathos includes:

• Vivid description so the reader can imagine themselves in the situation
• Personal stories to create feelings of empathy
• Emotional vocabulary that evokes a response

By using pathos to make the audience feel a particular emotion, the author can persuade them that the argument they’re making is compelling.

Rhetorical Strategy 3: Logos

Logos uses logic or reason. It’s commonly used in academic writing when arguments are created using evidence and reasoning rather than an emotional response. It’s constructed in a step-by-step approach that builds methodically to create a powerful effect upon the reader.

Rhetoric can use any one of these three techniques, but effective arguments often appeal to all three elements.

The rhetorical situation explains the circumstances behind and around a piece of rhetoric. It helps you think about why a text exists, its purpose, and how it’s carried out.

The rhetorical situations are:

• 1) Purpose: Why is this being written? (It could be trying to inform, persuade, instruct, or entertain.)
• 2) Audience: Which groups or individuals will read and take action (or have done so in the past)?
• 3) Genre: What type of writing is this?
• 4) Stance: What is the tone of the text? What position are they taking?
• 5) Media/Visuals: What means of communication are used?

Understanding and analyzing the rhetorical situation is essential for building a strong essay. Also think about any rhetoric restraints on the text, such as beliefs, attitudes, and traditions that could affect the author's decisions.

Before leaping into your essay, it’s worth taking time to explore the text at a deeper level and considering the rhetorical situations we looked at before. Throw away your assumptions and use these simple questions to help you unpick how and why the text is having an effect on the audience.

1: What is the Rhetorical Situation?

• Why is there a need or opportunity for persuasion?
• How do words and references help you identify the time and location?
• What are the rhetoric restraints?
• What historical occasions would lead to this text being created?

2: Who is the Author?

• How do they position themselves as an expert worth listening to?
• What is their ethos?
• Do they have a reputation that gives them authority?
• What is their intention?
• What values or customs do they have?

3: Who is it Written For?

• Who is the intended audience?
• How is this appealing to this particular audience?
• Who are the possible secondary and tertiary audiences?

4: What is the Central Idea?

• Can you summarize the key point of this rhetoric?
• What arguments are used?
• How has it developed a line of reasoning?

5: How is it Structured?

• What structure is used?
• How is the content arranged within the structure?

6: What Form is Used?

• Does this follow a specific literary genre?
• What type of style and tone is used, and why is this?
• Does the form used complement the content?
• What effect could this form have on the audience?

7: Is the Rhetoric Effective?

• Does the content fulfil the author’s intentions?
• Does the message effectively fit the audience, location, and time period?

Once you’ve fully explored the text, you’ll have a better understanding of the impact it’s having on the audience and feel more confident about writing your essay outline.

A great essay starts with an interesting topic. Choose carefully so you’re personally invested in the subject and familiar with it rather than just following trending topics. There are lots of great ideas on this blog post by My Perfect Words if you need some inspiration. Take some time to do background research to ensure your topic offers good analysis opportunities.

Remember to check the information given to you by your professor so you follow their preferred style guidelines. This outline example gives you a general idea of a format to follow, but there will likely be specific requests about layout and content in your course handbook. It’s always worth asking your institution if you’re unsure.

Make notes for each section of your essay before you write. This makes it easy for you to write a well-structured text that flows naturally to a conclusion. You will develop each note into a paragraph. Look at this example by College Essay for useful ideas about the structure.

1: Introduction

This is a short, informative section that shows you understand the purpose of the text. It tempts the reader to find out more by mentioning what will come in the main body of your essay.

• Name the author of the text and the title of their work followed by the date in parentheses
• Use a verb to describe what the author does, e.g. “implies,” “asserts,” or “claims”
• Briefly summarize the text in your own words
• Mention the persuasive techniques used by the rhetor and its effect

Create a thesis statement to come at the end of your introduction.

After your introduction, move on to your critical analysis. This is the principal part of your essay.

• Explain the methods used by the author to inform, entertain, and/or persuade the audience using Aristotle's rhetorical triangle
• Use quotations to prove the statements you make
• Explain why the writer used this approach and how successful it is
• Consider how it makes the audience feel and react

Make each strategy a new paragraph rather than cramming them together, and always use proper citations. Check back to your course handbook if you’re unsure which citation style is preferred.

3: Conclusion

Your conclusion should summarize the points you’ve made in the main body of your essay. While you will draw the points together, this is not the place to introduce new information you’ve not previously mentioned.

Use your last sentence to share a powerful concluding statement that talks about the impact the text has on the audience(s) and wider society. How have its strategies helped to shape history?

Before You Submit

Poor spelling and grammatical errors ruin a great essay. Use ProWritingAid to check through your finished essay before you submit. It will pick up all the minor errors you’ve missed and help you give your essay a final polish. Look at this useful ProWritingAid webinar for further ideas to help you significantly improve your essays. Sign up for a free trial today and start editing your essays!

You’ll find countless examples of rhetorical analysis online, but they range widely in quality. Your institution may have example essays they can share with you to show you exactly what they’re looking for.

The following links should give you a good starting point if you’re looking for ideas:

Pearson Canada has a range of good examples. Look at how embedded quotations are used to prove the points being made. The end questions help you unpick how successful each essay is.

Excelsior College has an excellent sample essay complete with useful comments highlighting the techniques used.

Brighton Online has a selection of interesting essays to look at. In this specific example, consider how wider reading has deepened the exploration of the text.

Writing a rhetorical analysis essay can seem daunting, but spending significant time deeply analyzing the text before you write will make it far more achievable and result in a better-quality essay overall.

It can take some time to write a good essay. Aim to complete it well before the deadline so you don’t feel rushed. Use ProWritingAid’s comprehensive checks to find any errors and make changes to improve readability. Then you’ll be ready to submit your finished essay, knowing it’s as good as you can possibly make it.

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Helly Douglas is a UK writer and teacher, specialising in education, children, and parenting. She loves making the complex seem simple through blogs, articles, and curriculum content. You can check out her work at hellydouglas.com or connect on Twitter @hellydouglas. When she’s not writing, you will find her in a classroom, being a mum or battling against the wilderness of her garden—the garden is winning!

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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay–Examples & Template

What is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

A rhetorical analysis essay is, as the name suggests, an analysis of someone else’s writing (or speech, or advert, or even cartoon) and how they use not only words but also rhetorical techniques to influence their audience in a certain way. A rhetorical analysis is less interested in what the author is saying and more in how they present it, what effect this has on their readers, whether they achieve their goals, and what approach they use to get there. 

Its structure is similar to that of most essays: An Introduction presents your thesis, a Body analyzes the text you have chosen, breaks it down into sections and explains how arguments have been constructed and how each part persuades, informs, or entertains the reader, and a Conclusion section sums up your evaluation. 

Note that your personal opinion on the matter is not relevant for your analysis and that you don’t state anywhere in your essay whether you agree or disagree with the stance the author takes.

In the following, we will define the key rhetorical concepts you need to write a good rhetorical analysis and give you some practical tips on where to start.

Key Rhetorical Concepts

Your goal when writing a rhetorical analysis is to think about and then carefully describe how the author has designed their text so that it has the intended effect on their audience. To do that, you need to consider a number of key rhetorical strategies: Rhetorical appeals (“Ethos”, “Logos”, and “Pathos”), context, as well as claims, supports, and warrants.

Ethos, Logos, and Pathos were introduced by Aristotle, way back in the 4th century BC, as the main ways in which language can be used to persuade an audience. They still represent the basis of any rhetorical analysis and are often referred to as the “rhetorical triangle”. 

These and other rhetorical techniques can all be combined to create the intended effect, and your job as the one analyzing a text is to break the writer’s arguments down and identify the concepts they are based on.

Rhetorical Appeals

Rhetorical appeal #1: ethos.

Ethos refers to the reputation or authority of the writer regarding the topic of their essay or speech and to how they use this to appeal to their audience. Just like we are more likely to buy a product from a brand or vendor we have confidence in than one we don’t know or have reason to distrust, Ethos-driven texts or speeches rely on the reputation of the author to persuade the reader or listener. When you analyze an essay, you should therefore look at how the writer establishes Ethos through rhetorical devices.

Does the author present themselves as an authority on their subject? If so, how? 

Do they highlight how impeccable their own behavior is to make a moral argument? 

Do they present themselves as an expert by listing their qualifications or experience to convince the reader of their opinion on something?

Rhetorical appeal #2: Pathos

The purpose of Pathos-driven rhetoric is to appeal to the reader’s emotions. A common example of pathos as a rhetorical means is adverts by charities that try to make you donate money to a “good cause”. To evoke the intended emotions in the reader, an author may use passionate language, tell personal stories, and employ vivid imagery so that the reader can imagine themselves in a certain situation and feel empathy with or anger towards others.

Rhetorical appeal #3: Logos

Logos, the “logical” appeal, uses reason to persuade. Reason and logic, supported by data, evidence, clearly defined methodology, and well-constructed arguments, are what most academic writing is based on. Emotions, those of the researcher/writer as well as those of the reader, should stay out of such academic texts, as should anyone’s reputation, beliefs, or personal opinions. 

Text and Context

To analyze a piece of writing, a speech, an advertisement, or even a satirical drawing, you need to look beyond the piece of communication and take the context in which it was created and/or published into account. 

Who is the person who wrote the text/drew the cartoon/designed the ad..? What audience are they trying to reach? Where was the piece published and what was happening there around that time? 

A political speech, for example, can be powerful even when read decades later, but the historical context surrounding it is an important aspect of the effect it was intended to have. 

Claims, Supports, and Warrants

To make any kind of argument, a writer needs to put forward specific claims, support them with data or evidence or even a moral or emotional appeal, and connect the dots logically so that the reader can follow along and agree with the points made.

The connections between statements, so-called “warrants”, follow logical reasoning but are not always clearly stated—the author simply assumes the reader understands the underlying logic, whether they present it “explicitly” or “implicitly”. Implicit warrants are commonly used in advertisements where seemingly happy people use certain products, wear certain clothes, accessories, or perfumes, or live certain lifestyles – with the connotation that, first, the product/perfume/lifestyle is what makes that person happy and, second, the reader wants to be as happy as the person in the ad. Some warrants are never clearly stated, and your job when writing a rhetorical analysis essay is therefore to identify them and bring them to light, to evaluate their validity, their effect on the reader, and the use of such means by the writer/creator. 

What are the Five Rhetorical Situations?

A “rhetorical situation” refers to the circumstance behind a text or other piece of communication that arises from a given context. It explains why a rhetorical piece was created, what its purpose is, and how it was constructed to achieve its aims.

Rhetorical situations can be classified into the following five categories:

Asking such questions when you analyze a text will help you identify all the aspects that play a role in the effect it has on its audience, and will allow you to evaluate whether it achieved its aims or where it may have failed to do so.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

Analyzing someone else’s work can seem like a big task, but as with every assignment or writing endeavor, you can break it down into smaller, well-defined steps that give you a practical structure to follow. 

To give you an example of how the different parts of your text may look when it’s finished, we will provide you with some excerpts from this rhetorical analysis essay example (which even includes helpful comments) published on the Online Writing Lab website of Excelsior University in Albany, NY. The text that this essay analyzes is this article on why one should or shouldn’t buy an Ipad. If you want more examples so that you can build your own rhetorical analysis template, have a look at this essay on Nabokov’s Lolita and the one provided here about the “Shitty First Drafts” chapter of Anne Lamott’s writing instruction book “Bird by Bird”.

Analyzing the Text

When writing a rhetorical analysis, you don’t choose the concepts or key points you think are relevant or want to address. Rather, you carefully read the text several times asking yourself questions like those listed in the last section on rhetorical situations to identify how the text “works” and how it was written to achieve that effect.

Start with focusing on the author : What do you think was their purpose for writing the text? Do they make one principal claim and then elaborate on that? Or do they discuss different topics? 

Then look at what audience they are talking to: Do they want to make a group of people take some action? Vote for someone? Donate money to a good cause? Who are these people? Is the text reaching this specific audience? Why or why not?

What tone is the author using to address their audience? Are they trying to evoke sympathy? Stir up anger? Are they writing from a personal perspective? Are they painting themselves as an authority on the topic? Are they using academic or informal language?

How does the author support their claims ? What kind of evidence are they presenting? Are they providing explicit or implicit warrants? Are these warrants valid or problematic? Is the provided evidence convincing?  

Asking yourself such questions will help you identify what rhetorical devices a text uses and how well they are put together to achieve a certain aim. Remember, your own opinion and whether you agree with the author are not the point of a rhetorical analysis essay – your task is simply to take the text apart and evaluate it.

If you are still confused about how to write a rhetorical analysis essay, just follow the steps outlined below to write the different parts of your rhetorical analysis: As every other essay, it consists of an Introduction , a Body (the actual analysis), and a Conclusion .

Rhetorical Analysis Introduction

The Introduction section briefly presents the topic of the essay you are analyzing, the author, their main claims, a short summary of the work by you, and your thesis statement . 

Tell the reader what the text you are going to analyze represents (e.g., historically) or why it is relevant (e.g., because it has become some kind of reference for how something is done). Describe what the author claims, asserts, or implies and what techniques they use to make their argument and persuade their audience. Finish off with your thesis statement that prepares the reader for what you are going to present in the next section – do you think that the author’s assumptions/claims/arguments were presented in a logical/appealing/powerful way and reached their audience as intended?

Have a look at an excerpt from the sample essay linked above to see what a rhetorical analysis introduction can look like. See how it introduces the author and article , the context in which it originally appeared , the main claims the author makes , and how this first paragraph ends in a clear thesis statement that the essay will then elaborate on in the following Body section:

Cory Doctorow ’s article on BoingBoing is an older review of the iPad , one of Apple’s most famous products. At the time of this article, however, the iPad was simply the latest Apple product to hit the market and was not yet so popular. Doctorow’s entire career has been entrenched in and around technology. He got his start as a CD-ROM programmer and is now a successful blogger and author. He is currently the co-editor of the BoingBoing blog on which this article was posted. One of his main points in this article comes from Doctorow’s passionate advocacy of free digital media sharing. He argues that the iPad is just another way for established technology companies to control our technological freedom and creativity . In “ Why I Won’t Buy an iPad (and Think You Shouldn’t, Either) ” published on Boing Boing in April of 2010, Cory Doctorow successfully uses his experience with technology, facts about the company Apple, and appeals to consumer needs to convince potential iPad buyers that Apple and its products, specifically the iPad, limit the digital rights of those who use them by controlling and mainstreaming the content that can be used and created on the device . 

Doing the Rhetorical Analysis

The main part of your analysis is the Body , where you dissect the text in detail. Explain what methods the author uses to inform, entertain, and/or persuade the audience. Use Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle and the other key concepts we introduced above. Use quotations from the essay to demonstrate what you mean. Work out why the writer used a certain approach and evaluate (and again, demonstrate using the text itself) how successful they were. Evaluate the effect of each rhetorical technique you identify on the audience and judge whether the effect is in line with the author’s intentions.

To make it easy for the reader to follow your thought process, divide this part of your essay into paragraphs that each focus on one strategy or one concept , and make sure they are all necessary and contribute to the development of your argument(s).

One paragraph of this section of your essay could, for example, look like this:

One example of Doctorow’s position is his comparison of Apple’s iStore to Wal-Mart. This is an appeal to the consumer’s logic—or an appeal to logos. Doctorow wants the reader to take his comparison and consider how an all-powerful corporation like the iStore will affect them. An iPad will only allow for apps and programs purchased through the iStore to be run on it; therefore, a customer must not only purchase an iPad but also any programs he or she wishes to use. Customers cannot create their own programs or modify the hardware in any way. 

As you can see, the author of this sample essay identifies and then explains to the reader how Doctorow uses the concept of Logos to appeal to his readers – not just by pointing out that he does it but by dissecting how it is done.

Rhetorical Analysis Conclusion

The conclusion section of your analysis should restate your main arguments and emphasize once more whether you think the author achieved their goal. Note that this is not the place to introduce new information—only rely on the points you have discussed in the body of your essay. End with a statement that sums up the impact the text has on its audience and maybe society as a whole:

Overall, Doctorow makes a good argument about why there are potentially many better things to drop a great deal of money on instead of the iPad. He gives some valuable information and facts that consumers should take into consideration before going out to purchase the new device. He clearly uses rhetorical tools to help make his case, and, overall, he is effective as a writer, even if, ultimately, he was ineffective in convincing the world not to buy an iPad . 

Frequently Asked Questions about Rhetorical Analysis Essays 

What is a rhetorical analysis essay.

A rhetorical analysis dissects a text or another piece of communication to work out and explain how it impacts its audience, how successfully it achieves its aims, and what rhetorical devices it uses to do that. 

While argumentative essays usually take a stance on a certain topic and argue for it, a rhetorical analysis identifies how someone else constructs their arguments and supports their claims.

What is the correct rhetorical analysis essay format?

Like most other essays, a rhetorical analysis contains an Introduction that presents the thesis statement, a Body that analyzes the piece of communication, explains how arguments have been constructed, and illustrates how each part persuades, informs, or entertains the reader, and a Conclusion section that summarizes the results of the analysis. 

What is the “rhetorical triangle”?

The rhetorical triangle was introduced by Aristotle as the main ways in which language can be used to persuade an audience: Logos appeals to the audience’s reason, Ethos to the writer’s status or authority, and Pathos to the reader’s emotions. Logos, Ethos, and Pathos can all be combined to create the intended effect, and your job as the one analyzing a text is to break the writer’s arguments down and identify what specific concepts each is based on.

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How to write a rhetorical analysis

What is a rhetorical analysis?

What are the key concepts of a rhetorical analysis, rhetorical situation, claims, supports, and warrants.

• Step 1: Plan and prepare
• Step 2: Write your introduction
• Step 3: Write the body
• Step 4: Write your conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions about rhetorical analysis

Related articles.

Rhetoric is the art of persuasion and aims to study writers’ or speakers' techniques to inform, persuade, or motivate their audience. Thus, a rhetorical analysis aims to explore the goals and motivations of an author, the techniques they’ve used to reach their audience, and how successful these techniques were.

This will generally involve analyzing a specific text and considering the following aspects to connect the rhetorical situation to the text:

• Does the author successfully support the thesis or claims made in the text? Here, you’ll analyze whether the author holds to their argument consistently throughout the text or whether they wander off-topic at some point.
• Does the author use evidence effectively considering the text’s intended audience? Here, you’ll consider the evidence used by the author to support their claims and whether the evidence resonates with the intended audience.
• What rhetorical strategies the author uses to achieve their goals. Here, you’ll consider the word choices by the author and whether these word choices align with their agenda for the text.
• The tone of the piece. Here, you’ll consider the tone used by the author in writing the piece by looking at specific words and aspects that set the tone.
• Whether the author is objective or trying to convince the audience of a particular viewpoint. When it comes to objectivity, you’ll consider whether the author is objective or holds a particular viewpoint they want to convince the audience of. If they are, you’ll also consider whether their persuasion interferes with how the text is read and understood.
• Does the author correctly identify the intended audience? It’s important to consider whether the author correctly writes the text for the intended audience and what assumptions the author makes about the audience.
• Does the text make sense? Here, you’ll consider whether the author effectively reasons, based on the evidence, to arrive at the text’s conclusion.
• Does the author try to appeal to the audience’s emotions? You’ll need to consider whether the author uses any words, ideas, or techniques to appeal to the audience’s emotions.
• Can the author be believed? Finally, you’ll consider whether the audience will accept the arguments and ideas of the author and why.

Summing up, unlike summaries that focus on what an author said, a rhetorical analysis focuses on how it’s said, and it doesn’t rely on an analysis of whether the author was right or wrong but rather how they made their case to arrive at their conclusions.

Although rhetorical analysis is most used by academics as part of scholarly work, it can be used to analyze any text including speeches, novels, television shows or films, advertisements, or cartoons.

Now that we’ve seen what rhetorical analysis is, let’s consider some of its key concepts .

Any rhetorical analysis starts with the rhetorical situation which identifies the relationships between the different elements of the text. These elements include the audience, author or writer, the author’s purpose, the delivery method or medium, and the content:

• Audience: The audience is simply the readers of a specific piece of text or content or printed material. For speeches or other mediums like film and video, the audience would be the listeners or viewers. Depending on the specific piece of text or the author’s perception, the audience might be real, imagined, or invoked. With a real audience, the author writes to the people actually reading or listening to the content while, for an imaginary audience, the author writes to an audience they imagine would read the content. Similarly, for an invoked audience, the author writes explicitly to a specific audience.
• Author or writer: The author or writer, also commonly referred to as the rhetor in the context of rhetorical analysis, is the person or the group of persons who authored the text or content.
• The author’s purpose: The author’s purpose is the author’s reason for communicating to the audience. In other words, the author’s purpose encompasses what the author expects or intends to achieve with the text or content.
• Alphabetic text includes essays, editorials, articles, speeches, and other written pieces.
• Imaging includes website and magazine advertisements, TV commercials, and the like.
• Audio includes speeches, website advertisements, radio or tv commercials, or podcasts.
• Context: The context of the text or content considers the time, place, and circumstances surrounding the delivery of the text to its audience. With respect to context, it might often also be helpful to analyze the text in a different context to determine its impact on a different audience and in different circumstances.

An author will use claims, supports, and warrants to build the case around their argument, irrespective of whether the argument is logical and clearly defined or needs to be inferred by the audience:

• Claim: The claim is the main idea or opinion of an argument that the author must prove to the intended audience. In other words, the claim is the fact or facts the author wants to convince the audience of. Claims are usually explicitly stated but can, depending on the specific piece of content or text, be implied from the content. Although these claims could be anything and an argument may be based on a single or several claims, the key is that these claims should be debatable.
• Support: The supports are used by the author to back up the claims they make in their argument. These supports can include anything from fact-based, objective evidence to subjective emotional appeals and personal experiences used by the author to convince the audience of a specific claim. Either way, the stronger and more reliable the supports, the more likely the audience will be to accept the claim.
• Warrant: The warrants are the logic and assumptions that connect the supports to the claims. In other words, they’re the assumptions that make the initial claim possible. The warrant is often unstated, and the author assumes that the audience will be able to understand the connection between the claims and supports. In turn, this is based on the author’s assumption that they share a set of values and beliefs with the audience that will make them understand the connection mentioned above. Conversely, if the audience doesn’t share these beliefs and values with the author, the argument will not be that effective.

Appeals are used by authors to convince their audience and, as such, are an integral part of the rhetoric and are often referred to as the rhetorical triangle. As a result, an author may combine all three appeals to convince their audience:

• Ethos: Ethos represents the authority or credibility of the author. To be successful, the author needs to convince the audience of their authority or credibility through the language and delivery techniques they use. This will, for example, be the case where an author writing on a technical subject positions themselves as an expert or authority by referring to their qualifications or experience.
• Logos: Logos refers to the reasoned argument the author uses to persuade their audience. In other words, it refers to the reasons or evidence the author proffers in substantiation of their claims and can include facts, statistics, and other forms of evidence. For this reason, logos is also the dominant approach in academic writing where authors present and build up arguments using reasoning and evidence.
• Pathos: Through pathos, also referred to as the pathetic appeal, the author attempts to evoke the audience’s emotions through the use of, for instance, passionate language, vivid imagery, anger, sympathy, or any other emotional response.

To write a rhetorical analysis, you need to follow the steps below:

With a rhetorical analysis, you don’t choose concepts in advance and apply them to a specific text or piece of content. Rather, you’ll have to analyze the text to identify the separate components and plan and prepare your analysis accordingly.

Here, it might be helpful to use the SOAPSTone technique to identify the components of the work. SOAPSTone is a common acronym in analysis and represents the:

• Speaker . Here, you’ll identify the author or the narrator delivering the content to the audience.
• Occasion . With the occasion, you’ll identify when and where the story takes place and what the surrounding context is.
• Audience . Here, you’ll identify who the audience or intended audience is.
• Purpose . With the purpose, you’ll need to identify the reason behind the text or what the author wants to achieve with their writing.
• Subject . You’ll also need to identify the subject matter or topic of the text.
• Tone . The tone identifies the author’s feelings towards the subject matter or topic.

Apart from gathering the information and analyzing the components mentioned above, you’ll also need to examine the appeals the author uses in writing the text and attempting to persuade the audience of their argument. Moreover, you’ll need to identify elements like word choice, word order, repetition, analogies, and imagery the writer uses to get a reaction from the audience.

Once you’ve gathered the information and examined the appeals and strategies used by the author as mentioned above, you’ll need to answer some questions relating to the information you’ve collected from the text. The answers to these questions will help you determine the reasons for the choices the author made and how well these choices support the overall argument.

Here, some of the questions you’ll ask include:

• What was the author’s intention?
• Who was the intended audience?
• What is the author’s argument?
• What strategies does the author use to build their argument and why do they use those strategies?
• What appeals the author uses to convince and persuade the audience?
• What effect the text has on the audience?

Keep in mind that these are just some of the questions you’ll ask, and depending on the specific text, there might be others.

Once you’ve done your preparation, you can start writing the rhetorical analysis. It will start off with an introduction which is a clear and concise paragraph that shows you understand the purpose of the text and gives more information about the author and the relevance of the text.

The introduction also summarizes the text and the main ideas you’ll discuss in your analysis. Most importantly, however, is your thesis statement . This statement should be one sentence at the end of the introduction that summarizes your argument and tempts your audience to read on and find out more about it.

After your introduction, you can proceed with the body of your analysis. Here, you’ll write at least three paragraphs that explain the strategies and techniques used by the author to convince and persuade the audience, the reasons why the writer used this approach, and why it’s either successful or unsuccessful.

You can structure the body of your analysis in several ways. For example, you can deal with every strategy the author uses in a new paragraph, but you can also structure the body around the specific appeals the author used or chronologically.

No matter how you structure the body and your paragraphs, it’s important to remember that you support each one of your arguments with facts, data, examples, or quotes and that, at the end of every paragraph, you tie the topic back to your original thesis.

Finally, you’ll write the conclusion of your rhetorical analysis. Here, you’ll repeat your thesis statement and summarize the points you’ve made in the body of your analysis. Ultimately, the goal of the conclusion is to pull the points of your analysis together so you should be careful to not raise any new issues in your conclusion.

After you’ve finished your conclusion, you’ll end your analysis with a powerful concluding statement of why your argument matters and an invitation to conduct more research if needed.

A rhetorical analysis aims to explore the goals and motivations of an author, the techniques they’ve used to reach their audience, and how successful these techniques were. Although rhetorical analysis is most used by academics as part of scholarly work, it can be used to analyze any text including speeches, novels, television shows or films, advertisements, or cartoons.

The steps to write a rhetorical analysis include:

Your rhetorical analysis introduction is a clear and concise paragraph that shows you understand the purpose of the text and gives more information about the author and the relevance of the text. The introduction also summarizes the text and the main ideas you’ll discuss in your analysis.

Ethos represents the authority or credibility of the author. To be successful, the author needs to convince the audience of their authority or credibility through the language and delivery techniques they use. This will, for example, be the case where an author writing on a technical subject positions themselves as an expert or authority by referring to their qualifications or experience.

Appeals are used by authors to convince their audience and, as such, are an integral part of the rhetoric and are often referred to as the rhetorical triangle. The 3 types of appeals are ethos, logos, and pathos.

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Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Statement

Surely you’ve already realized the difficulty involved in compacting all that is important in your essay into one key sentence – the thesis statement. Reaching a stage in writing your essay when you have decided on the main point that you would like to make can be quite challenging. That is especially when you consider the bearing that a single sentence could have on your entire essay. That's how important a thesis statement is. It's a focal point, a foundation on which you consequently build your paper, relating all the arguments you make back to this statement. Thesis statements vary depending on a particular type of essay you're writing. Here, we provide a detailed guide on how one formulates a rhetorical analysis thesis statement.

What is a rhetorical analysis essay?

Rhetorical analysis is a detailed study of how an author of a non-fiction work succeeded (or failed) in creating a specific effect – to convince, inform or entertain his/her audience. Analyzed work can be a text, a speech or a visual argument such as an advertisement or promotional video. You refer to the author of such work as a rhetorician. Important tools used by a rhetorician include factual evidence and, more importantly, appeals of an emotional (pathetic), ethical or logical type. Generally speaking, appeals represent attempts to earn the audience's approval by making use of fundamental human affinities or shared experience. Pathetic ones (here, we use the word pathetic without a negative connotation) primarily elicit an emotional response, sympathy or compassion, disappointment, sorrow or anger to persuade the audience of the rhetorician's argument. Logical ones use common sense to prove a point, while ethical ones rely upon the author's authority and trustworthiness to persuade the public of whatever attitude he/she has expressed towards a specific theme or topic. When performing a rhetorical analysis, you should look at which tool or technique the author has used, how successfully and what he/she has achieved by doing so.

Definitive essay outline page has useful information about authority and trustworthiness.

What is a rhetorical analysis thesis statement?

All thesis statements represent a final element of the introduction section of an essay. They consist of three parts: topic, argument and reason for it. A thesis statement written within a rhetorical analysis paper could look like this:

Author (name) effectively convinces readers (viewers) of the product quality by pointing to the (health or other) benefits of using it.

Alternatively, you could also argue:

Author (name) fails to persuade the audience of the product quality by using trivial argumentation and appealing to the wrong emotions.

But how do you decide what stand to take towards work you're analyzing? First of all, you should explore the goal a particular text or video is intended to reach. Next, check if the rhetorician has successfully achieved it. Then try to find out which techniques he/she used along the way and what has proven to be decisive in gaining the audience's approval or disapproval.

What to remember when writing a rhetorical thesis statement

• Thesis statement is to serve as an orientation for readers, letting them know what will be discussed in a paper and from what angle or perspective.
• It keeps you, as a writer, focused. It functions as an anchor to prevent you from drifting away from your topic. Without it, you would risk straying from your central theme which could cause you to end up not proving your point or seeming unclear of the message you're trying to get across.
• It defines the overall content of your paper covering all points you would need for convincing your reader that your argument is indeed valid.
• It is composed as an arguable claim. If something is an indisputable fact, then there is no use arguing its veracity. Thesis statement must have a potential to instigate discussion and provoke a reaction.

While there is no simple recipe on how to compose a compelling thesis statement for your rhetorical analysis essay, there are a few essential rules to follow:

• Become sufficiently acquainted with analyzed material (text, audio or video) which acts as a topic of your rhetorical analysis. Read it thoroughly or watch it a couple of times to find out what impression it makes on you, what the author's primary goal was, what techniques he/she employed to reach this goal and whether it was successful. Analyze precisely what kinds of appeals the author used and to what avail. Don’t rush it. Take your time and if necessary go over the material several times to make sure that you didn’t miss anything.
• After you've scrutinized the material and got to the bottom of every appeal used and to check for its efficiency, continue to next step which includes more specific analysis of things that were contrasted or made to appear similar in the material. Try to find out what was the aim and if it was successful.
• Formulate a working hypothesis which will serve as an interim thesis statement while you further analyze material by examining factual evidence presented. It will be refined in the process until you reach a final thesis statement.

With what rules should a rhetorical analysis thesis statement comply?

• Most importantly, it is supposed to be well-defined and precise. There is no room for vagueness and ambiguity when writing a thesis statement. It should provide a clear indication of your principle idea, which you will elaborate throughout your paper. Its formulation should make it clear to everyone what your essay will cover and what position you will be taking on this subject. If necessary, read your thesis statement to a few friends or family members and ask them what they think will be the theme of your essay. If what you get as an answer differs from your initial intention, then your thesis statement was not clear enough and you need to alter it.
• Next, itemize rhetorical methods used by the author. Rhetorical analysis should identify all appeals used by the rhetorician to accomplish his/her goal. Determine which strategies were used and subject them to critical analysis. Decide if the author was successful in his use of common sense appeals, emotional cues or moral grounds for his argument. What impression do you think the audience got after reading or viewing the material?
• Restrict the scope of your analysis to a particular segment of the material. You cannot possibly cover every conceivable aspect in one essay. So keep it specific. Decide upon a topic you find the most significant or appealing. Then thoroughly examine it to find enough support for your thesis.
• Put some effort into finding a unique angle to your rhetorical analysis. Object essay examples may help with this one. It's an original essay and should be as distinctive as possible. Your essay provides your subjective view on how effectively the author has persuaded the audience of his argument. Of course, this perspective should be backed up with supporting evidence or facts but it remains personal and different from anyone else's nevertheless.
• Although personal, your view should not be illogical or biased. Your task is not to pass judgment but to determine the author’s successfulness in accomplishing his work’s goal. So, do not claim that the material is good or bad, but establish if it was efficient in conveying a particular message or successful in creating a public opinion on a subject.
• Discuss the author’s style and general tone he employed in his work. Consider the target audience for analyzed material and whether a particular style of presenting it is suited for them. If not, explain why. Talk about different techniques the author used to make an impression on his intended audience.
• Your thesis statement should represent the point you would like to make in your essay. It should state your position clearly and provide a basis for further analysis.

Step-by-step refinement of rhetorical analysis thesis statement

Step #1: consider all possible angles of approaching your analyzed material. Read or watch it several times and write down everything that comes to your mind. Include impressions made on you by the author, as well as emotional responses these impressions elicited. Then think of the author's style and rhetorical appeals he utilized to accomplish his aim.

Step #2: restrict the scope of your analysis by deciding on which aspects of the material you would like to focus. These will be subjected to meticulous examination in your paper. Upon analysis, you will decide on the author's effectiveness in proving his point. What contributed to his success or failure?

Step #3: formulate your thesis. Now is the time to compose a compelling thesis which provides information on your general position regarding the material you analyzed and the main argumentation that you will discuss in more detail in the remaining parts of your essay. Take a stand on how you think the author's style, tone, and the various appeals used contributed to influencing the audience to think or feel in a particular way. If necessary, write multiple thesis statements and later decide on the most fitting one.

Step #4: refine your thesis. If you think your working version of the thesis statement is a bit rough around the edges, polish it to get a final version which pinpoints your position and expresses your point of view most clearly. A thesis statement is like a living organism; it changes and evolves over the time needed to write tips for rhetorical analysis . Adjusting it along the way is therefore crucial.

With a bit of luck, the information and guidance provided in this text will make the task of writing a rhetorical analysis thesis statement somewhat easier. It is a critically important part of the essay and should be given sufficient consideration so that you can structure the entire paper around it.

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How to Create a Compelling Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Do you need to write a rhetorical analysis essay outline? Even the word is quite a mouthful, and it can seem far more intimidating than it really is, especially if you’re new to the style. That’s why we’ve put together this super helpful guide to the rhetorical essay format and everything you need to know to get the job done.

In this article:

What is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

How long should my rhetorical analysis essay be, rhetorical appeals, analysis and evaluation, thesis statement, prepare to write:, rhetorical analysis introduction, ethos, pathos, logos, rhetorical analysis essay strategies.

Before we look at the rhetorical analysis format, let’s answer a fundamental question – what is a rhetorical analysis essay, anyway? Rhetorical analysis essays take another person’s work of nonfiction (usually, sometimes fiction is allowed) and dig deep into how the message was presented and why. They can be about anything – from books to magazine articles, famous speeches, and even TV commercials and videos. It’s all about looking deeply into how the media created its message and whether it’s effective at delivering it.

Why learn how to write a rhetorical analysis essay? It’s essential to know how people deliver a message. Think of marketing. Successful marketers don’t just make things up and hope for the best! They review what their successful competition is doing and figure out how to leverage it for their brand. This includes creating the right effect with the message, using power words that will drive their campaign, and so on – all skills you will learn while creating the outline for your rhetorical analysis essay.

As you can see, it’s an important critical skill to develop, and your rhetorical analysis essay will help you learn a lot about how humans respond to what we consume as well.

There is no strict rule about how long a rhetorical analysis essay should be, unless you have been given a target word length by your school or professor. You will, however, need to include key parts in your rhetorical analysis-conclusion, opening paragraph, thesis statement, and enough body sections to adequately make your analysis and argument. Our rhetorical analysis thesis outline will assist with this.

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

We will look at the rhetorical analysis essay outline in more detail below. First, however, it’s important to identify the steps you will take in writing your essay, to make sure it is insightful and clear to the reader. How do you analyze your source material?

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You will start by noting the overall rhetorical elements used. Here are four key elements:

• Purpose : Why did the speaker or author create this piece? What were they hoping to achieve or convince people of?
• Audience : Who was the piece directed at? What are their backgrounds and demographics? What unites them as an audience?
• Context : No piece is an island. What was/is happening around the work you are analyzing? What was the social climate, place, and time when it was written? What was happening around it?
• Medium : How is the message being delivered to us? Why would this be the best way to express the thought?

With that framework in mind, now move on to the rhetorical appeals and devices the author uses. This includes ethos, pathos, and logos, which we’ve looked at in detail in the next section. Also, consider how they are evoked – the imagery used, the tone taken, the syntax offered, and so on.

Of course, the point here is an analysis of the content you’ve chosen. So now it’s time to dig deep into how they used these methods and why they selected them. Were they successful or not? Why? Why not? If it wasn’t a successful attempt, what do you think the audience actually felt? At this point, you are building the ‘meat’ of your actual rhetorical analysis essay, so spend a lot of time with this. Remember, your evaluation is your main argument!

We revisit this a little later, but it’s worth adding here, too. Try to take these overall ideas and refine them into a straightforward thesis statement. This will help you build a strong foundation for your essay. This statement must demonstrate:

• The purpose the content creator had for the content
• The methods they used
• How effective they were

And contain the very core of your argument, which the rest of the essay develops further. It could look something like this:

In (content piece), the author compellingly demonstrates how removing access to some forms of public transport adversely affected vulnerable community members. They presented factual data, alongside personal experience and anecdotes that spoke to the problem’s root.

With that core element of your essay nailed down, you can begin to organize the thoughts, ideas, and evidence you’ve unearthed so far into your outline. Let’s take a closer look at it.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

So, what goes into the outline of a rhetorical analysis essay? It’s worth spending some time creating a rhetorical analysis essay/thesis outline for your work, even if it seems like wasted time. With a streamlined, sensible process in place, and a solid framework to work within, it will be much easier to organize the flow of your thoughts. So it’s time to create your rhetorical analysis outline.

As you go, think about the work you’re analyzing. Focus on aspects like the creator, their intention and message, the setting, and other vital details. Not only will this help you easily create the rhetorical analysis outline, but it will also do a lot of the work.

How to start a rhetorical analysis is one of the most asked questions by students – and with good reason. The introduction needs to achieve many things. You will be telling the reader about what you’re analyzing, whether it achieved its goals, and hooking the reader to keep reading along with you. This means it has to be one of the strongest parts of your essay.

Open on something interesting to pull people into your writing, known as a hook . Then introduce the author and work you are examining. There is no need for deep detail as that’s for the body but enough to grasp the subject. Explain whether or not you think they were successful with their message and why you decided on that judgment.

Here at the end of the introduction is also where your thesis statement will reside. A strong thesis statement is critical to a rhetorical analysis essay. In many ways, it is the lynchpin of the whole essay. Think of it as a quick guide to the entire argument you will be making.

It should be one or two sentences long, very clear and concise, and carry the intent of informing what the reader will get from your paper. You will outline the tools you are using to analyze the source material. Three of these are most typical for rhetorical analysis essays:

• Diction : How the author uses words and styles
• Imagery : The visually descriptive language they use
• Simile : Direct ‘like’ and ‘as’ comparisons between items.

The Body of your rhetorical outline is the most changeable part of the rhetorical analysis essay template. You can make a convincing argument in as little as 500 words . Or you may need more space. Don’t confuse being wordy with being ‘smart’ or ‘effective’- try to use as few words as you need to be concise and clear.

Here is where you will do the bulk of your analysis. Look at how the author used their tools to drive the purpose of the text.

While you can use any number of paragraphs, we suggest at least 3. Each should open with a topic sentence that links it to your thesis statement, proving and fortifying it. Add a relevant quote from the original text that helps demonstrate your point. Then use the rest of the text for your analysis. This should be at least three times longer than the quoted text. Quotes and findings that support your point will be used throughout.

These are the three classic rhetorical appeals that you should use to help you analyze the text. Use them throughout the body.

• Ethos : How the author establishes themselves as reliable and trustworthy with their tone or credentials.
• Pathos : ‘Tugging on your feelings.’ This is how an appeal to the reader’s emotions is made through emotive language or touching stories.
• Logos : This is the root word for Logic, which should give you a hint. How does the author develop their ideas logically? Do they reach sensible conclusions?

Once you’ve established your argument and developed it through the body, you will round off with a paragraph as a conclusion. It’s the most forgotten part of the rhetorical analysis essay format, so keep it in mind! You need to reiterate your main argument to emphasize your point concisely. Give a quick overview of the pros and cons in the text, and restate whether you feel they were effective.

And there you have it! This is the basic rhetorical analysis template that can be adapted to a wide range of essays.

Now you have a rhetorical analysis essay outline/template to follow, but the hard work doesn’t stop there. Throughout your essay, you need to demonstrate strong use of rhetorical analysis strategies to examine the essay contents. This helps you persuade your audience and develop your argument. There are many different strategies, but these are the most commonly used:

• Description : This is the most straightforward strategy, merely telling your reader something through the direct description. What is it? What is it not? This helps them understand what a specific term means as you use it.
• Cause and effect : The key part of this strategy is the cause. The effect is what happened because of that cause. In this way, you join the present (effect) to the past (cause), or the present (cause) to future action (effect).
• Process Analysis : How was something achieved? This is a strategy that’s good for history-focused essays, as it shows how something was achieved in the past but can be used for any topic. For example, this article is a process analysis! You also find process analysis used to explore topics from simple descriptions of how to do tasks, to complex advice like processing grief.
• Exemplification : This is another commonly used strategy. You give examples to illustrate your overall point. Every time you analyze a quote, you’re using this. However, make sure that there is a transparent and explainable relationship between your quote and the point you’re making.
• Compare and Contrast : What is similar and different? This is a strong strategy used often in arguments, speeches, and reports, which is useful for rhetorical analysis.
• Narration : Narration takes the reader on a journey through storytelling, which is why it’s an essential rhetorical strategy. We use life experience and personal stories to make our points.

Analyzing rhetoric is how we evaluate and understand what other creators have made. We also arrive at better ways to make our arguments more efficient through such analysis. That’s why it’s worth exploring all of these rhetorical analysis strategies and how they can be applied to your topic even if you discard some for your practical purposes. 

Don’t just mechanically approach your topic. That way, you just hear what they say. Instead, pay attention to how they say it, using these strategies. This will help you develop your critical thinking, one of the most important things you will ever do. This is your toolkit that will help you evaluate media critically, a skill that will help you throughout your life.

And there you have it! You have learned how to write a rhetorical analysis essay, from choosing your topics to developing a coherent argument in a logical outline. We’ve even looked at some key tips and strategies for your rhetorical analysis essay, too. With this outline and these tools in your kit, you will be able to take your conclusions and express them to the reader logically. Now it’s up to you to practice those skills!

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How To Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

A rhetorical analysis essay is a type of academic writing where the author looks at a topic in great detail and articulates their perspective on the matter using effective and persuasive methods. The essence of this type of essay is to evaluate a text, often a speech or a written article, based on the strategies used by the original author to persuade their audience.

Understanding and writing a rhetorical analysis essay is an important skill, particularly for students in humanities and social science fields. It not only sharpens one's analytical skills but also enhances the ability to dissect intricate arguments and expose the underlying intent.

In this post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of crafting an effective rhetorical analysis essay. We'll start with the basics of rhetoric, followed by the pre-writing stages and the development of a thesis statement. Next, we'll dive into how to structure your essay and guide you on how to write compelling introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions. Lastly, we will touch upon the critical stages of revising and editing your essay.

Overview of ethos, pathos, and logos

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are integral elements of persuasive communication, first outlined by the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle .

• Ethos: This refers to the credibility or ethical appeal of the speaker or writer. When utilizing ethos, the author establishes their authority and credibility on the topic, which in turn, instills trust in the audience.
• Pathos: This is the emotional appeal that targets the audience's feelings and values. By using pathos, the author can provoke an emotional response in the audience, thereby making the argument more relatable and impactful.
• Logos: This involves the logical appeal, where arguments are constructed using solid evidence and sound reasoning. Through logos, the author can present a clear and rational argument that speaks to the audience's intellect.

In a nutshell, Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are vital tools in the rhetoric toolbox. An understanding of these elements not only aids in crafting a persuasive argument but also equips one with the skills to critically analyze and interpret the work of others.

Explanation of the rhetorical situation

The rhetorical situation is a fundamental concept in rhetoric, which encompasses the context in which communication occurs. It's made up of four key components: author, audience, purpose, and context.

• Author: The author is the person who creates the message. In a rhetorical analysis, understanding the author involves recognizing their background, their perspective, and their credibility, as these can influence the arguments they make and the strategies they employ.
• Audience: The audience refers to the receivers of the message. They could be readers of a text, listeners of a speech, or viewers of a media piece. The audience's characteristics, such as their beliefs, values, and experiences, can affect how they interpret the message. Therefore, authors often tailor their rhetorical strategies to appeal to their specific audience.
• Purpose: The purpose is the goal or intent behind the message. It could be to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire. Identifying the purpose can help you understand why certain rhetorical strategies were chosen over others.
• Context: The context includes the circumstances, time, and place in which the communication occurs. It could be a historical event, a social issue, or a cultural trend. The context can influence both the author's creation of the message and the audience's interpretation of it.

Understanding the rhetorical situation is essential in a rhetorical analysis essay because it provides the framework within which the communication takes place. By analyzing the author, audience, purpose, and context, you can gain deeper insights into the rhetorical strategies used in the text and their effectiveness.

Significance of these elements in a rhetorical analysis essay

Understanding Ethos, Pathos, Logos, and the rhetorical situation is foundational to writing an effective rhetorical analysis essay. Each of these elements plays a significant role in not only shaping the author's message but also in how that message is received by the audience.

• Ethos, Pathos, Logos: Identifying the use of these persuasive strategies gives you a clear insight into the author's approach to persuading their audience. Whether they're appealing to the audience's sense of trust (ethos), emotion (pathos), or logic (logos), understanding these tactics equips you with the ability to dissect the author's argument and evaluate its effectiveness.
• Rhetorical Situation: Recognizing the author, audience, purpose, and context is key to understanding the broader framework within which the argument is made. Knowing the author's background and viewpoint can reveal biases or strengths in the argument. Understanding the audience can highlight why certain appeals were used and how they might be received. Identifying the purpose can clarify the author's main goal and message. Finally, acknowledging the context can illuminate external factors that might influence both the creation and reception of the argument.

In a rhetorical analysis essay, these elements serve as the bedrock of your evaluation. They help you discern not just what the author's argument is, but also how and why it is presented in a certain way, and how effectively it reaches its intended audience. Consequently, this understanding enhances your capacity to critique and analyze persuasive communication in various forms.

Pre-writing steps

Before you start writing your rhetorical analysis essay, it's important to thoroughly understand the text you are analyzing. This stage, often known as the pre-writing stage, involves careful reading, understanding the rhetorical situation, and identifying the use of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in the text.

Carefully reading and understanding the text

The first step is to read the text carefully, making sure you understand the overall argument that the author is making. It may be helpful to read the text multiple times to ensure that you grasp the nuances and subtleties. Take note of the author's main points, their supporting arguments, and the evidence they use. Pay attention to the language, tone, and style of writing as well.

Identifying the rhetorical situation in the text

Next, identify the rhetorical situation of the text - the author, audience, purpose, and context. Understanding who the author is and their perspective can shed light on the stance they take. Consider who the intended audience is and how this might influence the author's argument. Identify the purpose or goal of the text, and consider the context within which the text was created. Each of these factors could influence the rhetorical strategies used by the author.

Taking notes of effective use of ethos, pathos, and logos

Lastly, identify the use of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in the text. Take note of instances where the author establishes their credibility (ethos), appeals to the audience's emotions (pathos), or uses logical arguments and evidence (logos). These notes will serve as the basis for your analysis of how the author constructs their argument and persuades their audience.

These pre-writing steps lay the groundwork for a well-structured, thorough, and effective rhetorical analysis essay. Remember, the key to a successful rhetorical analysis is not just in writing well, but in understanding the text deeply and completely.

Constructing your thesis statement

One of the crucial elements of a rhetorical analysis essay, or any academic essay for that matter, is the thesis statement . It guides your analysis and gives your reader a clear understanding of your perspective.

Importance of a strong, clear thesis statement

A well-crafted thesis statement is pivotal to a successful essay. It sets the tone for your entire analysis and provides your reader with insight into what they can expect from your essay. A clear and strong thesis statement illustrates your main argument and the points that support it. It enables the reader to understand your stance and how you intend to support it using your analysis of the text.

Tips for crafting a robust thesis statement for a rhetorical analysis essay

Creating a sound thesis statement requires precision and clarity. Here are some tips to guide you:

• Make it clear and concise: Your thesis statement should be straightforward and to the point. It should effectively summarize your main argument in one to two sentences.
• Mention the author, text, and rhetorical strategies: Your thesis statement should mention the text you're analyzing, the author, and the key rhetorical strategies that you will be discussing.
• State your claim: Your thesis should clearly state your claim or main argument about the effectiveness of the rhetorical strategies used by the author.
• Avoid stating facts: Your thesis statement should be an argument, not a simple statement of fact. It should be something that could be debated and argued for or against.

Here's an example: "In her persuasive essay, Jane Doe effectively uses ethos, pathos, and logos to argue against climate change denial, although her appeal to emotion occasionally borders on fear-mongering."

Remember, a robust thesis statement paves the way for a compelling rhetorical analysis essay. It's your roadmap, guiding your analysis and helping your reader understand your argument.

Organizing your essay

After you have a clear understanding of the text and a robust thesis statement, the next step is to organize your essay. A well-structured essay can enhance your argument and make it easier for your reader to follow your analysis.

Overview of rhetorical analysis essay structure

A typical rhetorical analysis essay consists of three main sections: an introduction, the body, and a conclusion.

• Introduction: The introduction is where you'll present the text you're analyzing, its author, and your thesis statement. It should engage your reader and provide them with a clear understanding of your main argument.
• Body: The body of your essay is where you'll present your detailed analysis of the text. Each paragraph should focus on a particular aspect or rhetorical strategy used by the author. Remember to provide evidence from the text to support your analysis.
• Conclusion: In the conclusion , you'll summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a new light, considering the arguments and evidence presented in your essay's body. It should leave your reader with a clear understanding of your analysis and its implications.

Tips for creating a detailed essay outline

Creating an outline before you start writing can help you structure your thoughts and make your writing process smoother. Here are some tips for creating an effective outline:

• Start with your thesis statement: Write your thesis statement at the top of your outline. It will guide your analysis and help you stay focused on your argument.
• Organize your points: List the main points or arguments that you will make in your analysis. These could be the different rhetorical strategies used by the author.
• Provide supporting details: For each main point, list the specific details, examples, or quotes from the text that you will use to support your argument.
• Follow a logical order: Organize your main points in a logical order, whether it's the order in which the strategies appear in the text or in order of their effectiveness or importance.

Remember, an outline is a tool to help you structure your essay. It's not set in stone and can be adjusted as you delve deeper into your analysis. However, having a solid outline to start with can make your writing process much easier and more efficient.

Writing the introduction

The introduction is the first section of your essay that the reader will encounter, so it's crucial to make it engaging and informative. It sets the stage for your analysis and introduces your thesis statement.

Briefly introducing the text, author, and rhetorical situation

Start your introduction by briefly introducing the text you're analyzing and its author. Provide some context about the author, such as their background, reputation, or other relevant information that might influence their perspective or credibility (ethos).

Next, describe the rhetorical situation of the text. This includes the purpose of the text (what the author is trying to achieve), the audience (who the author is addressing), and the context (the circumstances surrounding the text's creation and reception).

Here's an example: "In his acclaimed speech 'I Have a Dream,' delivered at the height of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. addresses a nation divided by racial injustice, aiming to persuade his audience of the need for equality and freedom for all."

Presenting the thesis statement

After introducing the text, author, and rhetorical situation, you should present your thesis statement. Your thesis statement should clearly and concisely state your main argument or claim about the effectiveness of the rhetorical strategies used by the author.

For example: "Through his powerful use of pathos, combined with an appeal to ethos and logos, King paints a compelling picture of a future where racial harmony is possible, making 'I Have a Dream' a timeless rallying call for justice and equality."

Remember, your introduction should hook your reader's attention and provide them with a clear sense of what they can expect from your essay. Ensure it is engaging, informative, and leads smoothly into your body paragraphs.

Writing the body paragraphs

The body of your essay is where you'll present your detailed analysis of the text. Each paragraph should focus on a specific point or rhetorical strategy, providing examples and explaining the impact on the audience.

Analyzing the use of rhetorical strategies in the text

Start each paragraph by identifying a specific rhetorical strategy that the author uses, such as ethos, pathos, or logos. Describe how the author uses this strategy in the text. This might involve analyzing the author's language, style, tone, use of evidence, emotional appeals, logical structure, and more.

Providing examples from the text

Next, provide specific examples from the text to illustrate your points. This might involve quoting a passage from the text, summarizing a particular section, or referring to specific details. These examples serve as evidence to support your analysis and give your reader a clear understanding of the text and its rhetorical strategies.

Explaining the impact of the rhetorical strategies on the audience

Lastly, explain the impact of these strategies on the audience. Consider how the author's use of ethos, pathos, and logos might influence the audience's perceptions, emotions, or beliefs. Assess the effectiveness of these strategies: Did they help the author achieve their purpose? Why or why not?

For instance, if analyzing a speech, you might write: "The speaker's personal anecdotes and passionate delivery (pathos) resonate with the audience's shared experiences and emotions, making his argument for environmental conservation more compelling."

Remember, each body paragraph should be focused and coherent, with a clear main idea that supports your thesis statement. Use transitions between paragraphs to help your essay flow smoothly from one point to the next.

Writing the conclusion

The conclusion of your essay is your last chance to leave a lasting impression on your reader. It should summarize your main points, restate your thesis, and offer a final thought or reflection on your analysis.

Summarizing the main points

Start your conclusion by summarizing the main points of your analysis. This doesn't mean simply listing your points again, but rather synthesizing them to show how they come together to support your thesis.

For instance, you might write: "Through careful use of ethos, pathos, and logos, the author crafts a compelling argument that resonates deeply with the audience."

Restating the thesis statement

Next, restate your thesis statement in a new light, given the evidence and arguments you've presented in your essay. Don't simply repeat your thesis verbatim; instead, rephrase it in a way that reflects the insights gained from your analysis.

For example: "As evidenced, the author's effective use of rhetorical strategies not only strengthens their argument but also deeply engages and moves the audience."

Offering a final thought or reflection on the analysis

Finally, offer a final thought or reflection on your analysis. This could be a comment on the significance of your findings, a question for further thought, or a connection to a broader context or current issue.

For instance: "The author's skillful rhetoric not only serves their argument but also highlights the power of well-crafted persuasion in sparking change – a reminder of the significant role language plays in our daily lives and societal dialogues."

Your conclusion should bring closure to your essay while still leaving your reader with something to think about. It's your final opportunity to make a strong impression, so make sure it's clear, concise, and compelling.

Revising and editing your essay

Once you've completed the initial draft of your essay, it's time to revise and edit. This process is critical for enhancing the clarity and coherence of your essay, strengthening your argument, and ensuring your work is free from errors and plagiarism.

Importance of revising for clarity, coherence, and argument strength

Revising involves reviewing your essay as a whole and making changes to improve its clarity, coherence, and the strength of your argument. This might involve rephrasing sentences, reorganizing paragraphs, or even rewriting sections of your essay.

As you revise, ask yourself: Does my essay clearly and effectively answer the essay prompt? Does my argument flow logically from one point to the next? Is my thesis statement well-supported by my analysis and evidence?

Tips for effective self-editing

After revising, it's time to edit, which involves checking your essay for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors.

Here are some tips for effective editing:

• Take a break: Allow some time to pass after writing your essay before you start editing. This can help you view your work with fresh eyes and spot errors more easily.
• Read aloud: Reading your essay out loud can help you catch awkward phrasing and punctuation errors.
• Use a spellchecker: While not foolproof , spellcheckers can help catch some spelling and grammar errors.

Reminder to check for plagiarism and properly cite sources

Ensure your work is original and properly cited. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense , so always give credit to the authors and sources that informed your analysis. Use the citation style recommended by your instructor (e.g., MLA , APA , Chicago ), and consider using citation management software to make this process easier.

Considering professional editing services

Finally, if you're aiming for the best possible outcome or if you're unsure about your revising and editing skills, consider hiring a professional editor . An editor can provide a fresh perspective and expert feedback to improve your essay's clarity, coherence, and overall quality. They can also help you catch any remaining errors and ensure your work adheres to the required formatting and citation style.

Remember, a great essay isn't written in a single draft. Revising and editing are essential parts of the writing process that will help you create a polished, compelling rhetorical analysis essay.

Writing a rhetorical analysis essay is a rewarding and insightful process that involves careful reading, detailed analysis, and thoughtful writing. This guide has walked you through each step of the process, from understanding the basics of rhetoric to crafting your thesis statement, organizing your essay, and revising and editing your work.

Remember, the goal of your essay is to dissect the author's use of rhetorical strategies and evaluate their effectiveness. With a solid understanding of ethos, pathos, and logos, a clear and concise thesis statement, a detailed essay outline, and a commitment to revision and editing, you're well on your way to crafting a standout rhetorical analysis essay.

Header image by Zamuruev .

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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Outline, Steps, & Examples

If you are assigned to write a rhetorical analysis essay, you have one significant advantage. You can choose a text from an almost infinite number of resources. The most important thing is that you analyze the statement addressed to an audience. The task of a rhetorical analysis essay is to identify the speaker’s main objectives. However, it is also crucial to work through the rhetorical strategies the speaker uses.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

In this article by Custom-Writing.org experts, you will get to know the SOAPSTone and rhetorical appeals. This is included in our seven-step guide on how to write a rhetorical analysis essay. You’ll find out the essential tips on formatting and formulating the thesis statement. There are also a rhetorical essay outline and examples at the end for your reference!

• ❓ What Is Rhetorical Analysis?
• 👣 Writing Steps
• 👀 Essay Examples

🔗 References

❓ what is a rhetorical analysis essay.

In a rhetorical analysis essay, you have to divide a text into parts and explain whether they work together or not . It is quite different from a usual literary analysis . The task is to find out how successful the speaker is at reaching their objective.

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Main Steps

There are several steps you should follow to hit the highest score for your essay. First, you should work with SOAPSTone and rhetorical appeals. Then, you should proceed with basic tasks, such as writing a thesis statement and outline. When you have these done, it’s time to put it all together into the three main parts of the essay.

Step #1: Identify the SOAPSTone of the Text

SOAPSTone is a very handy tool to help you understand the text you are dealing with. The following questions allow you to gather all the information you will need for future analysis.

Step #2: Identify Rhetorical Appeals Used in the Text

Rhetorical appeals are also known as “modes of persuasion” and include ethos, pathos, and logos. They can be understood as tools for making others believe a particular point of view. Some of the most potent examples can be found in advertisements.

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Ethos is related to the speaker’s credibility. Mentioning some impressive qualifications or years of practice reassures the reader of the speaker’s reliability and trustworthiness. It helps to persuade the audience.

For example, a doctor might write an article about the surgery success rate after 30 years of practicing in the field. Demonstrating one’s expertise like this is an excellent example of ethos.

Pathos is all about emotions. Evoking deep feelings in the listeners is a powerful tool, which helps the speaker convince them. The range of emotions varies from love, admiration, and sympathy to anger and hate. Whenever the response from the audience aligns with what the speaker is expecting, it is a win. Usually, it is achieved by using provocative language.

For instance, a mayoral candidate shouts out into the crowd that hundreds of people could lose their jobs if they don’t do something. The speaker aims to make the audience feel resentful of the current situation and sympathetic to a new plan. This way, they are more likely to vote for this candidate since they feel passionate about the promises.

Emotions are not always enough to convince someone to follow you, are they? Therefore, the last crucial mode is logos. Logos is responsible for logic. Appealing to reason is mostly used in an academic environment , but it’s not uncommon in other fields. The speaker could use reliable data , facts, and evidence to convince the audience.

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Using numbers is always a good idea. For example, during the presentation, the speaker can include some graphs and percentages: “Last year, we finished 23% of projects ahead of schedule, saving over two million dollars for our customers.”

Step #3: Formulate Your Thesis Statement

Remember that your thesis statement is considered to be the front page of your paper. When successfully composed, it points out the main idea of your essay. Therefore, it has to be as clear and specific as possible.

You want to include everything you found out about the chosen text in this single sentence. If you didn’t skip the first two steps, it shouldn’t be a problem! A decent thesis statement would look like this:

“In her article, the writer mentions her expertise and up-to-date statistics, and appeals to the readers’ pity to convince them of the necessity of regular yearly check-ups for disease prevention.”

Don’t worry if you still can’t come up with anything decent. try using a rhetorical analysis thesis generator that will give you some ideas of what direction you should take in your writing.

Step #4: Create Your Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

Even though keeping your essay organized is not your most important task, it is undoubtedly helpful! If you don’t want to forget anything and save yourself quite a lot of time, follow our advice and write an outline . This can be especially helpful if you mostly use visual memory.

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Introduction, main body, and conclusion create the basic layout of any essay. The main body of the paper includes at least three paragraphs. The rhetorical analysis essay outline also fits this rule.

Carefully go through all the notes you’ve made and mark the main points you want to include in your essay. Think about the evidence you have to support them. Along with the thesis statement, write it all down in a format of a list. When you are done with it, you may use it as a cheat sheet during the next steps of the writing process.

Now, you’re all set up and ready to begin writing your essay!

Step #5: Write Your Rhetorical Analysis Essay Introduction

There are several things you need to consider when writing an introduction:

• If it’s not your school assignment, let the reader know that it’s a rhetorical analysis.
• Come up with a hook to interest the reader.
• Don’t forget to mention the text or speech you’re analyzing. You can also drop a few facts about it.
• Think of the SOAPSTone details that matter and include them here as well. You don’t have to mention all of the parts, just the ones that make sense to you.
• At the end of the introduction, write your thesis statement . It brings more clarity to this part of the essay.

Step #6: Write Your Body Paragraphs

As usual, this is where you put all your findings and support them with some facts. Don’t forget that there should be at least three body paragraphs . Since it fits the number of rhetorical appeals, you can go ahead and write about ethos, pathos, and logos. Another way of organizing the paragraphs is to present the text’s details chronologically, meaning from beginning to end. In this case, whatever text or speech you chose, it was probably well-prepared, so it helps your analysis look coherent.

It doesn’t matter which option you prefer, but make sure you provide enough support for your arguments . The most effective way to make it work is to use quotes. Also, stick to using the third-person so that you don’t break the rules of academic writing.

You can see how your main points can be organized most effectively in the rhetorical analysis essay sample at the end of the article.

Step #7: Write Your Rhetorical Analysis Essay Conclusion

The purpose of the conclusion is to sum up the most important findings of your analysis . You need to include your thesis statement here as well, but not word-for-word. Aim to paraphrase it and make it seem more sophisticated. This can be achieved by using new terminology. Maybe there is something the readers now understand from your essay that they couldn’t have before.

Then, in the form of a summary, briefly mention the main ideas that support your thesis. You don’t have to be a professional summary typer , just get your idea across in a concise manner. You might add a few words about the importance of your analysis as well. If you think that this issue is worth further research, write that down too.

👀 Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Examples

Below you’ll find an essay aiming to analyze On Women’s Right to Vote by Susan B. Anthony – a speech regarded as one of the best in American history. In this rhetorical analysis essay example, you can see how to put everything together by following the seven-step guide above. Here, the main body is divided into three paragraphs presenting one rhetorical appeal each.

Here are some other essay examples for you to check out.

• Obama Speech: Rhetorical Analysis and Evaluation
• “Get Out” Movie’s Rhetorical Analysis
• Susan B. Anthony’s Speech: Rhetorical Analysis
• Rhetorical Analysis of John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address
• Steve Jobs’ Commencement: Rhetorical Analysis
• Blogs on Euthanasia: Rhetorical Analysis
• Rhetorical Writing Analysis of Jenna Berko’s Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

• A rhetorical analysis of one of Hallmark’s commercials .
• Steve Jobs’ speech at Stanford University in 2005: rhetorical analysis.
• The use of rhetorical devices in Gary Shteyngart’s Only Disconnect .
• Rhetorical strategies used in horror film Us by Jordan Peele.
• Analyze Hamlet’s monologues in W. Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark .
• Discuss how Martin Luther King Jr. uses rhetorical appeals in his Letter from Birmingham Jail .
• Describe the rhetorical devices used in Greta Thunberg’s speech .
• The common rhetorical aspects used in articles of Carolyn Gregoire and Sophie Reeves .
• Examine the rhetoric in Brooks’ Reading Too Much Political News Is Bad for Your Well-Being .
• Analyse the persuasive devices in Google Analytics App .
• Study the application of rhetorical strategies in Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr .
• Compare the lyrics rhetoric in The Times They Are A-Changing and The Wind of Change .
• Rhetorical analysis for applying critical thinking .
• Describe the rhetorical devices used in Confessions of a Female Chauvinist Sow by Anne Roiphe .
• Examine the persuasive techniques in the Gillette commercial We Believe: The Best Men Can Be .
• Compare the rhetorical schemes of Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address and Emily Dickinson’s Success is Counted Sweetest .
• Rhetorical analysis of Media Control by Noam Chomsky .
• Analyse the persuasive devices used in political debates The Issue of Women and Race (2019).
• Rhetorical appeal in Andrew Cadelago’s film Snack Attack .
• Discuss the rhetorical strategies in Hidden Intellectualism by Gerald Graff .
• Analyse the persuasive devices used in Angelina Jolie’s speech on female empowerment .
• Describe the rhetorical appeals applied by Steinbeck in Of Mice and Men to stir up the emotions of the readers.
• Compare the rhetoric of Margaret Fuller and Fredrick Douglass . .
• Body by Milk and Moms Demand Action advertising campaigns: rhetorical analysis.
• Describe the use of three appeals in Coors Light Beer ad .
• Discuss the persuasive tactics in the 1950s advertising with Marilyn Monroe .
• Analyze the rhetorical strategies in Aveeno advertisement .
• Examine the efficiency of persuasive devices in the Stop Bullying public campaign .
• The instruments used to persuade the audience in Anti-Drug Abuse public campaign .
• Explore the rhetorical appeals in Julius Caesar by W. Shakespeare .
• Analyze the persuasive strategies of FIFA franchise .
• Rhetoric of The American Scholar by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
• Describe the rhetorical devices that made Pericles’ Funeral Oration one of the world’s most influential speeches.
• Persuasive techniques in American Crisis by Thomas Paine .
• Analyze the rhetorical strategies used by Linda Hogan in Dwellings .
• Explore the modes of persuasion in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas .
• The Myth of the Charioteer : rhetorical analysis.
• Discuss the rhetorical appeals of Pop Can: Popular Culture in Canada .
• The three appeals in Claire Giordano’s Virtual Promise .
• Rhetorical devices in the film Henry V (1944) directed by Laurence Olivier.
• Describe the rhetoric technique used by Michelle Obama in her TED speech .
• Analyze the persuasive tactics in James Q. Wilson’s Just Take Away Their Guns .
• Compare the rhetorical strategies in Moore’s Idiot Nation and Gatto’s Against School .
• What in the world is a rhetorical analysis? – NC State University
• Rhetorical Analysis – Stanford University
• Rhetorical Strategies // Purdue Writing Lab
• Rhetorical Analysis – Writers Workshop (Illinois)
• Rhetorical Analysis – SAGE Research Methods
• Rhetorical Analysis | Department of English | University of Washington
• Doing a Rhetorical Analysis of a Text (CSU)
• Aristotle’s Rhetorical Situation // Purdue Writing Lab
• Ethos, logos, pathos: Strategies of persuasion in social/environmental reports
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Rhetorical Analysis Essay Guide

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline - Template & Writing Guide

By: Betty P.

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Feb 11, 2020

Students often freak out when they hear the professor assigning a rhetorical analysis essay.

It is considered to be one of the most challenging tasks, and it sure is a little complicated, but definitely not impossible.

The first step for writing a rhetorical essay is to understand exactly what it is.

The reason why students find rhetorical essays to be a daunting task is the fact that writing such essays requires analysis of anything ranging from a literary work to a piece of art or even an advertisement.

The writer’s task is to analyze it and figure out the goal of the creator, author or painter, and the way he conveyed his views. The explanation also includes the extent to which he achieved his goal.

However, there is absolutely no need to be intimidated by it. Once you figure out the design to follow, writing a rhetorical analysis essay will be a piece of cake.

On this Page

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

The outline for any type of writing is just like a skeleton, keeping a human body erect and well-structured. After choosing a good rhetorical analysis essay topic, following the correct rhetorical analysis essay outline will make the writing process logical and ten times easier.

Before you jump straight to writing, take your time to read and understand the original text carefully and analyze the information side by side. Focus on the author, his intended audience, his purpose, the setting, and other details.

‘How do you write a rhetorical analysis essay outline?’

To learn how to write a rhetorical analysis essay, continue reading the section given below.

Introduction

The introduction section of your essay is the part where you inform your readers about the original text that you are going to analyze.

Consider the following elements of the text when doing the analysis:

• Target audience
• Background context

Keep this information clear and to the point by focusing on important aspects of the text only. Also, the introductory paragraph must specify whether or not the author was successful in achieving his goal.

Start your introduction with an interesting hook. Briefly describe the author and the work, followed by your judgment and purpose of choosing it.

Write a strong thesis statement at the end of the introduction and highlight the point that you are going to discuss in the essay. A thesis statement is the most important component of the essay as it provides a brief guide on what is going to be discussed in it.

Thesis Statement

A thesis is usually one to two sentences long, written at the end of the introductory paragraph to define the purpose of your essay.

The thesis statement should be clear and concise, with the sole purpose of informing the reader what to expect from your paper.

Point out the tools used by the author and how they supported his argument.

As mentioned above, the thesis statement must outline the tools that you are going to analyze in the essay.

Typically, the authors use the following kinds of tools in their work:

Simile - a direct comparison of two things by using "like" and "as."

Imagery – visually descriptive language.

Diction – the writer's choice of words and style of expression.

Body Paragraphs

The body of a rhetorical analysis essay should analyze the original text or work. Analyze how the tools used by the author helped fulfill the purpose of the text.

Start each paragraph in the body section with a topic sentence that should refer back to your thesis statement and fortify it further.

In addition to the topic sentence, it should also include a short quote from the original text that you will use to stress the idea and analyze it.

The body should be made up of the analysis, which should be three times more than the quoted text.

The persuasive methods, ethos, pathos, and logos, will be used in the body paragraphs to analyze the content. Also, respond to the questions that are mentioned in the previous step and describe the strategies used by the author.

You can also use quotes and findings to support your thesis.

Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Did the author use rhetorical appeals such as ethos, logos, pathos? When analyzing the text, notice how the author has used them to prove his point.

Ethos displays how the writer establishes reliability and integrity through tone or credentials, or both.

Pathos is the use of feelings as an appeal to the audience's emotions. The writer may add pathos by using emotional language or personal stories.

Logos indicates the logical use of the author's ideas and how he concludes things. Make sure you keep them in your mind while analyzing your text, and employ these tips in your paper.

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Rhetorical Strategies

Authors use different types of rhetorical techniques or strategies to examine and better analyze the paragraphs and the content of the entire essay. These strategies help the authors to express their point of view and persuade the audience by following a pattern.

The most common strategies leading to an engaging rhetorical analysis include:

1. Description

Defining strategy involves telling your reader about what something means. It explains what something is and something is not. Defining strategy makes sure your readers understand what you mean by a specific term.

2. Cause and Effect

It focuses on the causes to help readers understand why something happened. Cause concerns the future while effect looks back at the past. But you can use this strategy either way from the present to the past or from the present to the future.

3. Process Analysis

With the process strategy, the writer illustrates how something is done. It goes from everyday processes like writing an application letter to complex processes such as how to face death. This rhetorical strategy is mostly used in historical essays to show how something has been done in the past.

4. Exemplification

One of the most commonly used rhetorical analysis strategies is where the writer provides examples to illustrate a larger point in detail. To make a point, there should be a clear relationship between the examples and the point you make.

5. Compare and Contrast

This rhetorical strategy looks for similarities and differences. Compare and contrast strategy is widely used in writing reports, making an argument, or even giving a speech to convince your readers.

6. Narration

Another important and one of the fundamental rhetorical strategies. Narration is which we tell stories about our life experiences to make a point.

The concluding paragraph is where the reader leaves you; make sure you address your main argument to strengthen its effect.

Provide an overview of the positive and negative points of the text and state whether or not the text was effective.

This was the basic outline that needs to be followed when tackling a rhetorical analysis essay.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline Template

If this is your first time dealing with such essays, then this sample rhetorical analysis essay outline template will definitely come in handy. Just go through it once and fill out the sections one by one.

OUTLINE TEMPLATE FOR RHETORICAL ANALYSIS ESSAY (PDF)

AP RHETORICAL ANALYSIS ESSAY (PDF)

THOMAS PAINE RHETORICAL ANALYSIS ESSAY OUTLINE (PDF)

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example

A great approach is to read some examples of rhetorical analysis essays to understand the concept of writing a great rhetorical piece of the paper better.

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS ESSAY EXAMPLE (PDF)

You can also explore a great rhetorical analysis essay example from our expert writers to understand what it takes to craft a brilliant piece of writing.

Great Rhetorical Analysis Essay Tips

When writing a detailed outline for your rhetorical analysis essay, make sure that you take care of the following things.

• Study an essay topic, book, painting, or any other piece of art, thoroughly before choosing a topic for your essay.
• Present the right information in each of the essay sections.
• Do not mention the main details in the introduction and thesis statement section.
• Do not add new information or ideas in the conclusion.
• Reread and recheck the entire outline and key points after you are done writing.

Hopefully, you have understood the basics of the rhetorical analysis essay outline by now, and you are confident and willing to give it a try. If you want to learn more about rhetorical analysis essays, here is a detailed guide that covers everything about writing a rhetorical analysis essay .

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of rhetorical analysis.

When writing a rhetorical analysis essay, the main purpose of the writer is to convey his message to the intended audience.

What is the difference between rhetorical analysis and critical analysis?

In a rhetorical analysis essay, different parts of a text or work are discussed as they work together to form meaning. In a critical essay, the different parts of the work are critically analyzed, and arguments are formed around them.

Speech, Literature

Betty is a freelance writer and researcher. She has a Masters in literature and enjoys providing writing services to her clients. Betty is an avid reader and loves learning new things. She has provided writing services to clients from all academic levels and related academic fields.

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Free Rhetorical Analysis Generator

• 🌟 Intro to Rhetorical Analysis Generator

🤔 What Is Rhetorical Analysis?

• ✒️ Components of Rhetorical Analysis
• 💎 SOAPSTone Template
• 📝 Essay Outline

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🌟 intro to our free rhetorical analysis generator.

Rhetoric refers to the use of language that helps motivate, persuade, or get the point across to a particular audience. Rhetorical analysis involves studying and evaluating strategies authors and speakers use to achieve this goal. Here, you’ll learn how to use our generator, the fundamentals of rhetorical analysis, and the components of making a great essay.

Rhetorical Analysis Generator & Reasons to Try

It’s not always easy to conduct a good rhetorical analysis. Many students struggle with it and may even fail to submit their work on time. Our rhetorical analysis generator is here to help! It has many benefits that help you finish your work faster:

A rhetorical analysis evaluates a piece of work and the effectiveness with which the author communicated their ideas. It can be anything from a novel to a movie, as long as the work wants to persuade an audience. In other words, instead of discussing the events of The Count of Monte Cristo, you explore what Alexander Dumas wanted to tell his readers, which techniques were used to convey the message, and whether it was successful.

11 Common Rhetorical Analysis Devices

Look at some of the most popular rhetorical devices you can encounter in written and spoken works. They will help you better identify and include them in your upcoming papers.

✒️ Rhetorical Analysis Components & Their Meaning

You can come across several rhetorical analysis methods in your professional and academic work. The rhetorical triangle is the most popular type but has several lesser-known subtypes.

Its components are:

• Ethos . This notion appeals to the author or speaker’s credibility. It evaluates a person’s authority on a subject and tells the audience if they should trust them.
• Pathos . Pathos deals with emotions. It’s the most effective rhetorical device as it’s used to connect the speaker and the audience. For example, an emotional appeal over the use of facts is a tell-tale sign of propaganda.
• Logos . This element backs up a claim with logical and reasonable substance. Through it, the author provides factual evidence that supports their claims.
• Kairos . When a writer or a speaker addresses a particular time and place, they use kairos to provide specific context. To illustrate, an address concerning the First Amendment is most effective during a political debate.
• Stasis . The final segment of the rhetorical analysis lets people view arguments from different perspectives. This adds an impact and makes the audience more likely to side with the writer or speaker.

💎 Rhetorical Analysis: SOAPSTone Template

Like any analysis, evaluating a person’s rhetorical capabilities requires structure. Without it, you may fail to address some aspects of the work, making your paper incomplete. You can make this process easier with the SOAPSTone template and its components:

📝 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

Writing any type of essay requires structure and cohesion. While you may have encountered this structure before, it’s worth to remember the basics. A rhetorical analysis paper outline requires the following elements:

• Introduction . This paragraph introduces the text and its author. Some experts recommend including a summary of the work and elements of the SOAPStone analysis you uncovered. Explain why you’re conducting the research and give a clear thesis statement.
• Body . The section where you present arguments about work and what makes it persuasive. Here you discuss the methods, strategies, and rhetorical and literary devices the author used to convey their message.
• Conclusion . The conclusive paragraph ties your analysis together by driving home the main arguments provided in its body. It can also explain how the work impacted society or its target audience.

3 Good Rhetorical Analysis Essay Examples

Here we have picked up some samples with rhetorical analysis of different types of works that can inspire you to create own impressive essay.

• Rhetorical Analysis of Paypal’s Online Payments Commercial Essay . PayPal's online payments commercial employs a potent blend of rhetorical techniques to convey its message effectively. The ad emotionally connects with the audience through vibrant visuals, stirring music, and relatable scenarios. Using real-life situations highlights the convenience and security of PayPal's services, appealing to the ethos and building trust. Additionally, persuasive language and a call to action stimulate a sense of urgency, prompting viewers to adopt PayPal as their preferred online payment platform. By artfully combining pathos, ethos, and logos, the commercial convinces viewers that PayPal is a trustworthy and convenient decision for their online payment requirements.
• “The Myth of Multitasking” by Rosen: Rhetorical Analysis Essay . The author adeptly employs rhetorical strategies to debunk the notion of multitasking. Christine Rosen dismantles the prevalent belief in multitasking efficiency through persuasive arguments and compelling evidence, revealing its detrimental effects on productivity and cognitive abilities. Her skillful use of logic and reasoning challenges readers to question their habits and consider a more focused approach to tasks. By strategically dismantling this cultural trend, Rosen urges her audience to reassess their attitudes toward multitasking, prompting a profound reevaluation of its impact on daily life and productivity.
• A Rhetorical Analysis: “Chevy Commercial 2014” Essay . Chevy Commercial from 2014 is a captivating piece of rhetoric that skillfully employs various persuasive techniques to resonate with its audience. The ad establishes an immediate connection with viewers through emotional storytelling. The commercial artfully weaves heartwarming scenes of people's lives, accompanied by an inspiring soundtrack, evoking a sense of nostalgia and relatability. Ethos is reinforced by showcasing real people in everyday situations, enhancing the credibility of Chevy's brand positioning as an integral part of consumers' lives. Furthermore, logos strategically highlights the car's innovative features and performance. By aligning Chevy with moments of happiness and adventure, the ad compels viewers to consider Chevy as the vehicle that can accompany them on their life journeys.

We hope our tool will facilitate your rhetorical analysis of books, commercials, or speeches, so you'll create a unique essay! Besides, you may try our hook generator to engage the audience to read your paper from the beginning.

📌 Rhetorical Analysis Generator – FAQ

Updated: Oct 25th, 2023

• Rhetorical Analysis – Jessica Allee, University of Arkansas
• How To Write a Rhetorical Analysis in 8 Simple Steps – Jennifer Herrity, Indeed
• Rhetorical Analysis – Blinn College District
• What Is a Rhetorical Device? Definition, List, Examples – Jeffrey Somers, ThoughtCo
• Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Formatting – Brandon Everett, California State University, East Bay
• What is Rhetorical Analysis? – Melanie Gagich & Emilie Zickel, PressBooks
• SOAPStone Graphic Organizer for Rhetorical Analysis – Sacramento City Unified School District
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This page contains a free tool for conducting rhetorical analysis. It is user-friendly, accurate, and fast. You can customize the analysis according to your text type and context. Also, we have prepared a guide where you can find out about literary devices, components of rhetorical analysis, and the structure of your future essay.

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12.4 Analyzing Advertisements: Descriptive Summary and Rhetorical Analysis

When we view a painting, it’s often because we’ve chosen to do so—usually by visiting a museum. Advertisements, on the other hand, enter our field of vision whether we want them to or not. In both print and digital media, advertisements swirl around us. They pop up on websites, appear in our social media feeds, fill the magazines we read, and interrupt the television shows that we watch. They’re everywhere, and because they’re such a routine part of the visual information we take in each day, it’s important to think critically about how these images are designed and for what purpose.

The Elements of Advertisements

We may not consider advertisements to be works of art, but they’re certainly created with an incredible attention to detail and to the viewer’s experience, just like the other examples of paintings and films discussed in this chapter. For that reason, you can use the same techniques for analyzing art work and movies when analyzing advertisements. For example, when analyzing a print advertisement like the one below, it would be important to observe the use of color, tone, perspective, movement, and how the various objects and individuals are arranged in relation to each other, among other elements.

Similarly, when analyzing a commercial, it would be important to observe not only the visual elements but the audio and narrative elements, as well. Commercials may not come close to the depth of character and plot development that films achieve, but they still tell us stories, often quite effectively. (Keep in mind that plenty of people watch the Super Bowl not for the football game but for the especially entertaining commercial breaks.)

The Rhetoric of Advertisements

The reason that ads are created with such care is because, like any image, they are designed to produce effects. Like a painting, they might lead us to reflect on our identity, our culture, or our values. Like a film, they might elicit our emotions or give us a unique narrative experience. Of course, we all know the primary effect that advertisers hope their advertisements will have. Advertisements are meant to persuade us: to spend money, to use products, and to support candidates or causes, among other possibilities. One could argue that all images are persuasive in one way or another, but advertisements are explicitly so. They want something from us, and they’re not shy about asking for it. Consider the example below.

Because advertisements are persuasive, you can analyze the rhetoric of an ad just like you can with any other text that’s trying to support a particular claim or point of view. Doing so will help you figure out why a particular advertisement was created and whether or not you want to accept its message. The chapter on “Writing Situations” in this textbook offers more information about how to analyze the rhetorical situation of a text. When thinking about advertisements, though, it’s especially important to ask yourself about:

• The Writer: Who created the ad? What mindset or point of view might this person, group, or organization bring to the subject matter of the ad?
• The Purpose: What is the ad meant to do? What effect is it supposed to have on the viewer?
• The Audience: Who are the targeted viewers of the ad? What mindset or point of view could these individuals have, and how could that affect how the ad is received?
• The Exigence: What motivated the creation of the ad in the first place? What perceived need or larger situation is the ad responding to?

To get some practice analyzing the rhetorical situation of an advertisement, study the sample ad below. What can you determine about its writer, purpose, audience, and exigence?

In addition to analyzing an advertisement’s rhetorical situation (who created it, for whom, and why) you can also analyze the rhetorical appeals that the ad uses in order to achieve its purpose. That is, what features of the ad make it persuasive? Again, you should refer to the chapter on “Writing Situations” in this textbook for more information about rhetorical appeals. A good place to begin, though, is to consider the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in an advertisement. You can consider:

• Ethos: How does the advertisement establish its credibility? Is there anything about the advertisement itself (its professionalism, its quality, its tone) that persuades viewers to accept its message? Is there anything about the creators or sponsors of the advertisement (their authority, their prestige) that persuades viewers to accept its message?
• Pathos: How does the advertisement speak to a viewer’s emotions? Does it try to make the viewer happy, angry, fearful, or distressed (among other possibilities) in order to affect the viewer’s judgment of the message?
• Logos: How does the advertisement use logical argument and support to communicate its message? Does it make reasonable claims? Are those claims supported with sound evidence?

To get some practice analyzing the rhetorical appeals of an advertisement, study the sample ad below. What can you determine about its use of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade the viewer?

In many ways, analyzing the rhetoric of an advertisement is like analyzing the rhetoric of any text. It’s always important to think about the writer, purpose, audience, and exigence, as well as about rhetorical appeals like ethos, pathos, and logos. That said, there are special considerations to keep in mind when analyzing the rhetoric of an advertisement.

Advertisements are a genre quite unlike the other texts you’ll read and write about in College Composition, many of which are long-form academic essays. Advertisements are also different from the other visual genres discussed in this chapter, particularly when you think about how quickly ads are meant do their work. While we might spend an hour or more watching a film or several minutes contemplating a work of art, we usually just glance at a print advertisement or watch a few seconds of a commercial. In order to understand how an ad could possibly persuade a viewer in so short a time, we have to consider how they use features such as:

• Brief, catchy slogans or dialogue
• “Power words” that draw attention and elicit emotion (free, easy, exciting, delicious, etc.)
• Attention-grabbing fonts, images, and sounds
• Use of white space and color to quickly direct the viewer’s focus
• Foregrounding or repetition of key words, product names, or sponsors
• Use of name recognition or endorsement to establish authority

To get some practice analyzing how ads use these strategies, consider the sample ad below.

The Ideology of Advertisements

One of the most effective ways for an advertisement to persuade us is by appealing to our values and assumptions. We often support candidates and organizations whose ads support our own worldview, for instance. Similarly, we may purchase products because we believe our bodies, attitudes, and choices should resemble those of the models or spokespeople endorsing them. To fully understand how ads try to persuade us, it’s necessary to think about how they try to confirm our assumptions (or our fears) about ourselves, our culture, and our world.

Of course, even when the values and assumptions embedded in an advertisement are not part of a deliberate attempt to persuade us, it’s important to notice them and think critically about them.  Advertisements are powerful. They’re everywhere. They can be flashy, provocative, and even fun. For these reasons, advertisements can normalize some beliefs (about race, for example, or body image or gender roles) and challenge or exclude others.

The critical theories already introduced in this chapter will help you to understand how the advertisements you analyze participate in our culture’s conversations about gender, race, class, and many other topics. You can find more information about these theories in this textbook’s chapter on “Literary Theory in the College Composition Classroom.”

An example of one scholar using critical theory (in this case, gender studies) to study advertisements is The Gender Ads Project by Scott A. Lukas. This site collects and analyzes advertisements in order to understand how they influence our ideas about gender and sexuality.

To practice thinking about how ads can reveal or even shape our assumptions about gender, consider the sample advertisement below.

Writing Exercise: Analyze an Advertisement

Use the strategies for visual analysis that you’ve learned about in this chapter to analyze the rhetoric of a print ad or commercial of your choice. Compose an analysis that:

• Describes the advertisement using the visual and narrative elements discussed in this chapter.
• Explains the advertisement’s rhetorical situation and use of rhetorical appeals.
• Explains how the advertisement reflects or challenges prominent cultural ideas about gender, race, class, sexuality, disability, or any of the other cultural issues discussed in this chapter.

Continue Reading: 12.5 Analyzing Public Art: Descriptive Summary and Rhetorical Analysis

Composition for Commodores Copyright © 2023 by Mollie Chambers; Karin Hooks; Donna Hunt; Kim Karshner; Josh Kesterson; Geoff Polk; Amy Scott-Douglass; Justin Sevenker; Jewon Woo; and other LCCC Faculty is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Workshops

These two activities are designed to introduce students to the idea of a thesis statement for a rhetorical analysis essay and provide structured peer feedback on their draft thesis statement.

Author : Chris Kamrath

Course : PWR 1

Activity brief description:  This series of two workshops provides students with norms for good rhetorical analysis thesis statements, examples and the opportunity to get feedback on their own draft thesis statement.  The first activity focuses on introducing students to sample thesis statements and norms for good thesis statements.

The handout provides three norms, four sample draft thesis statements, and questions students can ask when peer reviewing thesis statements.  Students are asked to ‘peer review’ these sample thesis statements.  As a group they come up with feedback for the ‘absent’ authors of these sample thesis statements.  Each of the samples is taken from a draft RA essay from a past class.  This activity provides students with a sense of what a thesis looks like and how to talk about what makes a thesis ‘good’.

The second activity repeats this process with their own draft thesis statement. This activity would take place one or two classes after the first.  The first part of the activity focuses on looking at one of the sample thesis statements from the first day.  I record the student responses on the first day.  I then re-write the drat thesis to take this feedback into consideration. We discuss my revisions (which usually draw on the actual revised thesis from the student paper) and then students repeat this process in small groups with their own thesis statements.  Students get peer feedback and then we have time to revise the thesis statement in class. This activity frames the thesis statement as a key step (after choosing a text) in drafting the rhetorical analysis essay.

Activity length and schedule : The first activity is approximately 45 minutes.  Students spend approximately 25-30 minutes to discuss two sample thesis statements. We then discuss their peer feedback for 25 to 20 minutes. The second activity takes between 45 minutes and one hour. 5 minutes is spent on the sample thesis and the revisions which respond to their feedback form the prior workshop.  20-25 minutes is spent peer reviewing their draft thesis. The remainder of the time is used for student revision of their draft thesis statement based on peer feedback.

Week 1/2. These two activities usually occur during the first or second week of class.  The first activity introduces students to the idea of a thesis statement for a rhetorical analysis essay and offers criteria for a good thesis statement.  Students evaluate sample draft thesis statements.  In the second activity students repeat the earlier workshop with their own draft thesis statements.  They provide structured feedback on their peer’s draft thesis statement and receive feedback on their own.

Activity goals :

• To provide students with examples of rhetorical analysis thesis statements.
• To provide students with norms for critiquing thesis statements.
• To provide students with feedback on their draft thesis statement.
• To give students space to revise their thesis statement based on feedback.

Activity details :

See handout #1 and handout #2 . See also list of keywords and rhetorical theory concepts .